By Logan Smith
The most anticipated matchup of the Southern League finally arrives on Saturday, with Christchurch heavyweights Cashmere Tech and Christchurch United facing off at Garrick Memorial Park.
The round kicks off on Saturday morning, with FC Twenty 11 seeking to continue a string of good performances, hosting Nelson Suburbs, who are yet to win away in Christchurch this season.
At midday, Green Island will want to bounce back from derby defeat and welcome Ferrymead Bays to Sunnyvale Park, with the visitors suffering three heavy defeats in recent league action.
At 2.45pm, the two all-Christchurch clashes take place, with Cashmere taking on Christchurch United and last-placed Nomads hosting a Selwyn team on a bad losing run.
Game of the week
Cashmere Tech and Christchurch United have developed something of a competitive rivalry in recent years, and once again occupy the top two positions on the table.
At home, Cashmere will have their sights on narrowing the five-point gap to Christchurch United to two points with a win, but also face pressure from below with Dunedin City Royals only behind them on goal difference.
For United, victory would not only put daylight between themselves and Cashmere, but would also cap off an impressive perfect record in the first half of the Southern League season.
Whichever way this one falls, it’s bound to have huge implications for the title race and qualification race.
Player to watch
Striker Declan Hickford has been an important figure for Nomads in a tough season so far, and was also their goalscoring talisman in 2022.
He netted on the rebound off his own saved penalty against Nelson Suburbs to rescue a point, and in a critical home fixture against an off-form Selwyn, it could be a big day for him.
Bold prediction
Green Island have relied on a strong home record to steer them away from relegation in the Southern League before, and they’ll view this Saturday’s clash against a wounded Ferrymead Bays side as an opportune chance to nab another home win.
And I’ve got them securing that win; their pace and willingness to break should cause problems for a Bays team they haven’t beaten in the Southern League before.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday May 27, 2023
FC Twenty 11 v Nelson Suburbs
Avonhead Park, Christchurch, 11.30am
Green Island v Ferrymead Bays
Sunnyvale Park, Green Island, 12pm
Cashmere Technical v Christchurch United
Garrick Memorial Park, Christchurch, 2.45pm
Nomads United v Selwyn United
Tulett Park, Bishopdale, 2.45pm
Games to be played on Sunday May 28, 2023
Coastal Spirit v Dunedin City Royals
Linfield Park, Bromley, 1.30pm
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, based in Dunedin, covering the Southern League.
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